Lafayette debuted new basketball coaches this week and both were winners in their first outings. Dan Downs got things started by guiding the Lafayette boys to a 54-51 win over Colonial Heights.

Chris Brown debuted as the school’s girls coach on Tuesday and the Rams gave him a 67-32 victory over Bruton. That contest was a battle of new coaches as the Panthers’ Terrence Green, who played for Brown’s AAU team years ago, was also debuting.

The margins of victory reflect the experience of the two Lafayette teams. Downs’ boys needed a clutch go-ahead basket on the break by Bryce Losty to take a late lead, while Brown’s girls, led by his daughter and Old Dominion recruit Keyana Brown (21 points), led big throughout.

“Coaching my first varsity game was exilarating to say the least,” said Downs who got 18 points from Mark Rivera in the win. “It was a great experience.

“My team played very well and played together. My assistant coaches were very supportive and continuosly talking to me. I felt very confident on how we would perform.”

Brown said, “Coaching my daughter in the first game of her senior year was bittersweet, one of those moments I knew would be special. I’m proud of how the kids responded and how hard they’ve practiced.

As for the showdown between district favorites Grafton and Lafayette at Grafton on Thursday, Brown said he can’t wait.

“Grafton is a team I respect all day everyday,” he said. “But I love the competition and the spirit of competition and our girls have been working hard.

“We’ll need (point guard) Kenya Holiday’s speed and Keyana’s poise to beat their press. And Keyana is going to have to keep the ball out of (Bay Rivers District Player of the Year) Olivia Wilson’s hands so she can’t shoot, because she can really shoot it.”